Red Bull releases a statement over the happenings in F1 Brazil GP which has been resolved, as it opens up on the social media fallout.
While Mercedes made headlines with their first win of the 2022 F1 season, Red Bull were not behind with yet another controversy falling on the team. This brought out some inner fights out in the open which they describe as miss-communication.
Towards the end of the grand prix, team asked Max Verstappen to give up track position to Sergio Perez who is in fight for second in the drivers’ standings. A position swap would have helped the Mexican to have more points than Charles Leclerc.
As of now they are tied with Leclerc ahead and whoever comes out in front in Abu Dhabi, will be second. Red Bull certainly wants a 1-2 finish to go with the drivers’ and constructors’ titles. They have already lost the most poles award to Leclerc.
Expanding on the radio call from Verstappen, Red Bull notes that the scenario where they were in wasn’t discussed pre-race which is why the Dutchman reacted in that way. He also did not have the information of where Leclerc was and how Perez would have benefited.
The radio message from Verstappen led to a massive speculation about a past happening especially during the Monaco GP qualifying where Perez crashed out which left the Dutchman without the chance to push for pole on the final lap.
It is still not clear if that was the reason as Red Bull has stated that the reasoning will be kept as a private matter. The team, however, were disappointed by the online abuse their drivers and members faced post the grand prix and continue to face.
Here’s the full statement from Red Bull:
“As a team we made some mistakes in Brazil. We had not envisaged the situation that unfolded on the last lap and we had not agreed a strategy for such a scenario before the race. Regretfully, Max was only informed at the final corner of the request to give up position without all the necessary information being relayed. This put Max, who has always been an open and fair team player, in a compromising situation with little time to react which was not our intention.
“Following the race Max spoke openly and honestly, allowing for both drivers to resolve any outstanding issues or concerns. The Team accept Max’s reasoning, the conversation was a personal matter which will remain private between the team and no further comment will be made. The events that followed from a social media point of view are completely unacceptable. The abusive online behaviour towards Max, Checo, the Team and their respective families is shocking and saddening and unfortunately is something that we as a sport are having to address with depressing regularity.
“There is no place for it in racing or society as a whole and we need to do and be better. At the end of the day this is a sport, we are here to race. Death threats, hate mail, vitriol towards extended family members is deplorable. We value inclusion and want a safe space for everyone to work in and enjoy our sport. The abuse needs to stop.”
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